Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-06-22
GRADUATING ExERCIsEs.

House last Thursday evening, were we'll
attended. and creditable alike to teachers
and scholars. A large audience had as
sembled at 8 o'clock, the Opera House
being filled to overtiowing.
The room being so closely filled and
the weather very warm, it was rather
close and disagreeable. But the different
parts were so well rendered that the heat
was reduced to a secondary affair. The
audience, considering the warmth and
uncomfortableness of the evening, were
very quiet and orderly.
The members of the graduating class
are: Ida May Barnes, Edward w. Decker,
Cora Belle Hunkins, Minnie Belle Nudge
and Frank REYNOLDS. ........'. =.
The exercises of the evening were open
ed with an organ voluntary by Mrs. Lot
tie Cox. followed by double quartette
with an anthem, entitled 20, Come, let
US Sing unto the Lord" and a prayer by
Rev. s. H. Dewart. -..a7 ....... 81.
Frank Reynolds then favored the au.
dience with an oration. Subject,
THE IRISH QUESTION"
in which he very ably defended the Irish
cause. The Irish, he said were represent
ed by the English as being incompetent
to manage home rule should they receive
it when the real facts are, they fear it
might prove successful and thereby lose
to them their control of the Irish nation.
His points were we'll made, and show
that he has given the subject considera-
thought and study.
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR"
was the title of Miss Ida May Barnes es-
say, which treated of character. The
various phases of the question were crit
ically and pleasingly discussed. The
teachings of this essay were, ''do not
judge character by outward appearances. :"
Works and not looks, is the proper basis
on which to judge character. Fair looks
and good clothes do not always repre-
sent good character or stable man.
The double quartette here rendered an
other selection. entitled, 10, Italia, Ital-
ia. Beloved" 49,
Edwin w. Decker, IN his Grafton on
the Causes of Crime" touched the SUBJ
ject up in good shape. Intemperance he
correctly classed as the greatest evil of
the day. From drunkenness springs
nearly every other crime. Drunkenness
breeds lawlessness, which means death to
virtue, law and honesty. i .s..... . ..... :.
Mr.. Decker was the valedictorian of the
class. His parting -remarks:to teachers,
classmates and the school board were
good.
Miss Minnie Nudge used as the subject
for her essay
PEBBLES AND BLOSSOMS"
in which she delighted the audience with
her grace, case and smoothness of speech.
All pebbles, or all blossoms would soon
become monotonous. So would life
composed OF all sunshine or all rain, all
pleasure and no pain soon become tire
some. But as pebbles and blossoms com
bine to make beautiful landscape, so
do our pleasures and sorrows combine to
make the truly happy life. ...
Mrs. Campbell here sung a solo, enti'
tied, "Abide with me-"
''ovER THE ALPS LIES ITALY"
was the subject of a very interesting es-
say by Cora Belle Hunkins. Her essay
was sketch of the life Of Hannibal. the
celebrated Carthaginian general and in
veterate enemy of Rome. His wonderful
march over the Alps and the great cam.
pa:gn in italy were graphically described.
Miss Hunkins Is a pleasing speaker and
impresses an audience very favorablY.
Il will Magnify Thee, o God" was sung
as a quartette, after which President Of
School Board D. B. Smith presented the
class with diplomas. > ~ Fl
''Stars of the Summer Night shine DER
U.s." trio, sung by Mrs. Campbell, Miss
Sherwood and Miss johnson. ",
After an address by Hon. .. w Shaw,
the. Parting Song" was sung, and the
benediction pronounced by Rev. P. B..
Peabody. -, -, .4s ,.....s.zs
Thus closes the common school course
of the class Of 1887 They have now
taken the first step on the great ladder of
life, and must 80 forth to battle with it's
stern realities. Fields of literature and
seas of usefulness are no@longer in the
distance. They are here. The dawn Of
rising hope and bugles of ambition call
them into the contest, Rise or fall, they
must enter the race. :. Win or lose, they
must run. There is but one alternative,
and that is to enter the battle resolved to
do and to conquer. s. -<...s 5.= s.. 5. .s &.
The public schools of Austin have been
in excellent hands, and Prof. Fitch and
his efficient corps of teachers are entitled
10 great credit for the work they are do
ing ana have done.
While the success Of the schools de-
pends in q large measure upon the ef1c-
iency Of the teachers, parents should not
forget that their own cooperation and
hearty support Of the teachers methods
ID naeessarv to make the school of the